Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-07
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The diagram below shows how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The diagram below illustrates the production of biofuel called ethanol.
Overall, process includes several steps from plants and trees growing to harvesting and pre-processing it and then sugars molecules are seperated and finally ethanol is produced and sent to consumers which further produce carbon dioxide.
Production starts with energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide which helps in the growth of plants and trees. Once they are fully grown they are harvested and sent for pre-processing. In this step, trees are cut into small pieces and afterwards cellulose is added. Then it is sent for processing. Once they are processed, sugar molecules are separted from other materials. Furthermore, microbes are added which are helpful to produce ethanol and finally ethanol is produced.
Once ethanol is produced, it is sent in the consumers market where people use it for several purposes specially for fuels. Mostly vehicles use it for fuel and they produce carbon dioxide gas which plants use for their growth.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the ethanol production process, from plant growth to consumption. However, the description of the process is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the cyclical nature of the process. While you mention the main steps, the explanation of the 'pre-processing' and 'processing' stages is slightly vague. To improve, ensure you highlight the key transformation points more precisely, such as the conversion of cellulose into sugar. The summary is functional but could benefit from a more sophisticated synthesis of the information provided in the diagram, particularly regarding the relationship between the stages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is generally clear, following the chronological order of the diagram. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'Once', 'Then', 'Finally'). The referencing is generally clear, but the transition between the production phase and the consumption phase could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and phrases would help the flow of the text feel more natural and less like a list of steps.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing for a basic description of the process. You use relevant terms such as 'harvested', 'cellulose', 'microbes', and 'carbon dioxide'. However, there are some spelling errors, such as 'seperated' and 'separted', and some awkward phrasing like 'consumers market'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited; using more precise verbs and nouns related to industrial processes would elevate the response. To reach a higher band, focus on accurate spelling and incorporating more academic collocations related to scientific or manufacturing diagrams.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'Overall, process includes' is missing an article, and 'specially for fuels' should be 'especially for fuel'. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage throughout the text. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for articles and basic sentence construction will help improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.